For next year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), BMW will debut an open top concept of their i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. For now, BMW calls it the i8 Spyder Concept but the company's CEO told German media outlets that the production model's launch is "not far off."

This is not the first time BMW has showed the public a roofless concept of their i8 sports car. Back in 2012, the company unveiled the first i8 Spyder Concept in Beijing, and in Geneva the year after. This second i8 Spyder Concept will likely see more of the production i8 coupe's styling features. In an interview with Autocar UK, BMW officials said turning the i8 coupe into a cabriolet was a “major challenge to its engineers” because it was difficult incorporating the carbonfibre-reinforced plastic body shell construction of the i8 into a convertible format.

As previously mentioned, BMW CEO Harald Krueger said a production model of the i8 Spyder will arrive eventually. However, a spokesperson from the brand said that there is no definite time frame for the production car's debut. BMW did mention that the Spyder will get the same powertrain as the coupe. It will be powered by a three cylinder, 1.5 liter turbocharged engine mated to an electric motor, giving it a combined output of 362 PS and 570 Nm of torque.